Wine term definitions: Old World and New World

"Old World" and "New World" are perhaps two ofChampagne (all France), Rioja (Spain) and Chianti
the most used terms in wine lexicon. People new(Italy) are therefore all Old World. The Old World
to the world of wine frequently expresshas been making wine (almost) for ever - the
frustration when confronted with these terms,Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans establishing the
either on a wine bottle, or in a wine tasting. Afterearliest vineyards.
all, what does each term actually mean?New World wines are basically everywhere else!
Old World wines refer to wines that come fromThe America's (North and South), Australia, New
Europe and The Mediterranean basin, where wineZealand, South Africa are all New World wine
has historically been made to established stylesproducers. Winemaking in the New World began in
using certain grape varieties and winemakingthe 16th century (initially in Mexico curiously
techniques. Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy,enough).